New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-09-09
The OREGON PAOIFIO RAILROAR
A RAILROAD MANS VIEWS.
ITS ADVANTAGES TO THE COUNTRY.

tive capitalists OF New York and Oregon who have
Gently formed themselves in connection with others
equally well known into syndicate for Its rapid compile
ton
Some KNOWLEDGE Of the conservative intentions of
those interested In the completion OF the oregon Pacific
Railroad led The TRIBUNE reporter to examination Of
the facts through interview with gt ntleman who
has made the railroad conditions and OF the
State Of Oregon his study, and who has just returned
from visit to that state
What is the present status of the undertaking."
The company has built and equipped a four and
one-haf miles line OF road from lsIuina Bay, Oregon
about 10 miles south emouth Of the Columbia River
Oregon Pacific road begins at Ya,iu ma city extending
easterly 10 the willamette Valley. This valley. which
OF 30 miles is cut into two divisions by the Willamette
River which flows from the south the north on either
side OF the willamette River two railway. The
Oregon Pacific Railroad these four lines OF rail
road at right angles also crosses the Willamette River
twenty-five niles, and has under construction about 100
This nH S ae sas to be ."
Cascade Mountains and out INTO the open fertile plains
the facilities given by the Oregon Pacific will he the
great graf, field of the State The Oregon Pacific Rail
North and south RAILROADS. in the willamette Valley and
has also It's own line OF river STEAMBOATS, on the villa
mete River gathering business from all points north aud
south OF Corvallis and Albany and porting such
business through this popnlons valley to Yaquina Bay
railroad collect this willamette River freight
f fsas and what is the general for business
is readily done. all the cities
river, aud or course there also are located the ware
houses, grain elevators and flour mills OF the valley
cultural products from the state, but the dstribu
ing points for merchandise received into the State All
the large towns supplied With banking institutions.
afiording local financial facilities. The large shipments
of grain and agricultural products are handled by oils
drawn through san Francisco on foreign houses,
Is there not quite serious competition for this gen
Yes but to the OF such competition It is
needless to state this fact that the tine CONSUMED on
shipments from the heart OF the willamette valley %
san Francisco, via the Oregon Pacific Railroad and
Yaquna Bay Is forty eight hours at cost Of about ~
land from the heart OF the Willamette Valley require
about five DAYS and cost about double for freight"
But don't Portland snip grain to Europe without send
recently the only outlet II IN freight 80 per
ton To transport wheat from the heart Of the Willamette
Valley u Portland about the rate oi freight that II
costs from the same point via the Oregon Pacific Railroad
and Iaquni Bay 10 san Francisco. while wheat ~ Port
land - 80 1883 pcrtonless than it brings
the day 1T san Francisco This difference IN price
upoa all shipments made by OF the Columbia River
| But why this difference OF two and a half to three
Because Portland is $50 miles inland from the sel by
way of the Columbia and willamette divers an the
autumn and winter months 10 the time wheat IL going
forward makes 1t impossible to take deeper laden ship
TO Portland tan QUO WIN sixteen eet urduent' lnd -
the grain ships deep draught they ctn only load at
! two tnirls Is sent down over 100 miles on river
steamboats, there to complete the but at
| aud bar pilotng. rhe dangers OF this bar are
40 great that All English insurance Ppc,is ha a
C"lunbi, River groanding clan'e namely: Wsrraated.
Couu bia and willamette NV whilst crossing the
bar. such grounding shall not be deemed srandlng
under this policy except IN respect OF damage to tue
interests hereby insured which mny have resulted there-
| fr,,n.' A"
"You speak OF Yaquna Bay n harbor; what about
this pointi"
rs one OF National mp,rtaace and the Government
work progressing IA increasing its depth so that
when completed II Will accommodate any shipping New
York Harbot does as to depth Being The only adequate
and available harbor between the Columbia River anu
direct slIppn point from OREGON to Europe for great
portion of the grain of tho Northwest upon the com
prtion of the Oregon Pacific Railroad, which as matter
OF fact Is the only railroad IN the state having direct
communication with tidewater."
| what the prospects for traffic ?"
This question has been most satisfactorily answered
nv the legislative Assembly the state of Oregon wnen
NJ Congress by aunanimnns vote for the CON
tnune OF the Improvement Of Yaquina Bay IN which
| they said:
Your usnora> Legislative Assembly of the state Of
rssp-t uy submit that the harhor OF aqnn.
potn Of the state that ia Adopon as INC
the the At the earliest possible day
that the compe,n OF this line vi" nrees1 70 tns
sp that tbs seven couaies dro y affected produce neary
question Yield, large msjory Of the wool eatIls
"n o. tho nov sas s ,sal me
rns ,%e .neisr.ss Ia6a
yssrs harOor ob'iru ted ny ice or
se.a S9 rss Of wing !" esp
that the only OF U. srra'o'
| ~ but will create
b arbor " refuge for tbs coast OF Oregon
How about the eastern outlook for traffic
"Oregon OF the Cascade Mountains h not prncta
tel by any river therefore tits waoy dependent
upon artificial transportation for It's access 10 anu from
market The Oregon Pacific Railroad runs through the
OF this part Of the state east and west Along It's
line will he located the towns ami cities or the future,
settling along the line OF survey OF the roal
already made and others are seeking Information daily
10 Justify their commencing settlement even IN advance
| OF the completion OF the road its-if. =, . 1884,. H..
what relation has this road to the great trunk lines
| n y Pacific Oceanl'
The Union Pacific. with it, connecting oregon snort
eastern terminus OF the oregon Pacific road. at point
on Snake River. Oregon; an II Is claimed that several
OF the Important trunk lines are approaching With rapid
construction that direction. The oregon Pacific how
ever looks for It's remuncrative business not from
trade hut from local business and building up
towns and cities along its line among the prosperous
already forming the nucleus OF great asri
What landed property has the road, and what is its
A,ont one million acres OF selected land along tho
line OF the through the state from the east to west
seeasng The iani granted years ago Illinois Cen
trail Railroad. specially suited 10 immediate settle
tnen and cultivation by farming community. Besides
their great fertility these lands are for the most part
treeiess plains Offering immediate return % tne 's.er
without the great OF clearing Tor they are reay
the plough Toward the western portion OF the ROAD
are me deposits , OF coal vaae forests Srs s of a cedar
pine OAK and other bard woods Inc ''moer Is 'pe''AS
What value do you place upon the lands or the com
f" Is somewhat difficult 10 discuss in detail the value of
the lands tins roai bnt when ono co nslders
Is biilt they VIII be
frot IN the state ino gram
bearing and general farming lands with resulting crops
of from 20 30 bushels O wheat 10 tie acre. ahy Que
can tell what would be fair valuation per acre upon
property producing such income. the most OF when cs
within ii 1 miles OF the line 0f the railroad ITSELF
Give mo general account or your trip, ana the
conclusions you arrived at III connection with your OK
! amina ion OF the railroad and lis prospects u
"I went through st. Paul by the Northern Pacific To
Walla ALA, where | remained two days FROM mere
nv new line OF Northern Pacific directly over tue
mountains To New-Tacoma. their terminus on fuge.
! sound: thence to olympia aud Seattle inc rlVM
terminus towns: then back to NewIacona; thence py
Northern Pacific to Kalama on the Coiunba l,Neri
thence by river boat Astoria near the mouth OF tue
Columbia | went over the Columbia aver bar anu
now cease wonder ut the terror when taxes pos,
session Of passengers going outward anu ~, aiu
| over this truly terrible bit OF water AFTER ea,,
aiming this part OF the river. took steamer ana
made rho entire trip To Portland by way or Columbia
! and Willamette Rivers. From Portland went by the
west branch OF the Oregon and California Railway 10
Corvallis The country along this piece OF ROAD - et-
ceedngly fertile wonderfully beautiful and well settrd
the location Corvallis Is one OF the prettest nave
Thence ny oregon Paoiho Railroad 10 hqu.h
Bay where passed four days In careful suuy OF tho